Chapter 5

"Besides, Tyler already arranged a job for me," Brandon added quickly. "Even if it's only eight hundred a month, I'm already grateful! I really can't take your money!"

My mother-in-law looked deeply pleased, though she still found time to shoot me a glare.

But my father-in-law seemed to sense something off.

"Why are you only earning eight hundred a month?" he asked suspiciously. "This is one of Alyes City's fastest-growing tech companies. Even fresh graduates start at a thousand a month. Why are you getting so little?"

He turned to glare at me.

"Well, well, Tyler. So you've been sabotaging Brandon behind his back! You ungrateful thing!"

I couldn't bear to carry such an outrageous accusation.

"Enough!" I snapped. "With his résumé, he wouldn't even make it through the application process. I already made an exception to bring him into the company—what more do you want? He should be grateful to earn eight hundred!"

"The trouble he caused nearly dragged the whole company down with him, and I didn't even hold it against him! Yet, now you're turning the blame on me? Do I, Tyler, really owe your entire family something?"

My father-in-law pointed at me in disbelief. "You insolent brat! Tyler, how dare you speak to me like that?!

"Brandon is only an intern. Even if he made mistakes, that just means you failed to teach him properly. You should take responsibility!"

My mother-in-law stepped protectively in front of Brandon, hands on her hips, pointing straight at my face.

"I think you did this on purpose. You ungrateful wretch—you just can't stand to see our family doing well!"

Brandon's eyes reddened as if he were both anxious and wronged.

"Please don't get so angry—it's bad for your health! If Tyler has a problem with me, I'll just leave. After all, you're family. I'm just an outsider. It's not worth causing a rift between you because of me."

He wiped his eyes with his fingers and turned as if to leave.

My mother-in-law hurried to stop him. "Don't go! This isn't your fault!"

My father-in-law suddenly reached out and dragged me in front of Brandon.

"Apologize to Brandon right now! He's such a sensible and obedient boy. While you're busy, he's the one helping take care of us. He's practically fulfilling your duties of filial piety for you, and yet, you dare say something so outrageous!

"If you don't give Brandon the apology and compensation he deserves today, I'm not letting this go!"

The force of the pull made me stumble, nearly falling.

A sharp pain pierced my chest.

I looked toward Megan. She remained silent the entire time.

"What if I say I won't apologize?"

My in-laws stared at me in disbelief, so furious they could barely speak.

Megan frowned deeply, looking at me with reproach.

"Tyler, do you really have to anger my parents to death?"

I let out a bitter smile. "You think I should apologize too?"

Her face showed only impatience, as if the question of right or wrong didn't matter at all.

"Even if you're right, can you really bring yourself to defy my parents?"

"That's enough. Stop arguing. Tyler, transfer ten percent of the company's shares to Brandon as repayment."

She spoke as if she wanted nothing to do with the conflict.

Beside her, a flash of calculation flickered in Brandon's eyes.

My father-in-law wasn't satisfied yet and added another demand.

"And that sports car too—transfer it to Brandon as a return gift!"

A self-mocking smile curved at the corner of my mouth.

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll have Megan divorce you!"

Megan said nothing.

Suddenly, I felt very tired.

"Fine."

I turned and asked my lawyer to send over a divorce agreement, then had the waiter print it out.

Without hesitation, I signed my name.

Then I handed it to them.

"Sign it."

Megan shouted in shock, "What?"